Javy Lopez Smacks Game-Winning Home Run as Tom Glavine Outlasts Dennis Martinez for 2-0 Braves Series Lead

Did you expect this to come easy, Atlanta?

Although this second consecutive razor-thin affair stretched well over three hours in length, the Braves now hold the largest possible series lead following two games, and that's all that matters.

On Sunday night, Tom Glavine played the role of stalwart moundsman, and though he was unable to go the distance like his predecessor, he still managed to pass the baton safely to the finish line, as the Braves secured Game 2 by a score of 4-3. His six two-run innings were enough to earn the win, after Dennis Martinez faltered just before his personal finish line, resoundingly ejected from the game by the bat of Javy Lopez.

This two-run smash was the young catcher's latest clutch hit, but far from his first postseason moment -- it was only a week ago when he broke the tie in extras at Riverfront Stadium with a three-run shot, cascading Cincy's hopes toward the drain in a 6-2 Game 2 win.

The underrated hero of this game, however, was Alejandro Pena. With two on and two out in a one-run game in the seventh, he relieved Greg McMichael and induced a pop out from Albert Belle, quelling the threat. For all their offensive oomph, these Tribesman can't seem to buy a clutch hit -- Cleveland went 0-for-5 with RISP yet again.

With the tying run on second in the ninth, Mark Wohlers again induced a pop up off the handle of Carlos Baerga's bat. Chipper squeezed it, and the game concluded feverishly.

We'll see you in Cleveland for Game 3, where the Braves will look to avoid any sort of accidental momentum swing.